NBA officiating reps meet with Nuggets following shootaround

By Gina Mizell

The Denver Post

Posted:
02/13/2018 08:30:19 PM MST

Updated:
02/13/2018 08:30:45 PM MST

The Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, right, and Will Barton, left, defend the Celtics' Jaylen Brown at the hoop during the first half on Jan. 29 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. (AAron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post)

NBA officiating representatives met with the Nuggets following Tuesday's shootaround as part of the league's new program to smooth growing tensions between players and referees.

The meetings, which are taking place with every team, are designed to "discuss rules interpretations, on-court conduct and expectations of NBA referees," according to a league release. They are helmed by Michelle Johnson, an NBA senior vice president and head of referee operations, and Monty McCutchen, a former official who is now the vice president of referee training and development.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who's been known to boisterously argue with officials from time to time, described the meeting as a positive dialogue. Jokic said coach Michael Malone and veterans such as Paul Millsap and Richard Jefferson asked questions.

"It's good just to have some communication," Jokic said. "They said that they're gonna change how they communicate with us and how they say things. They're aware that we are making mistakes in the games (and) they're making mistakes, of course, while they're refereeing.

"I think (the meetings are) a good move by them. They're part of the business, like we are. We need to be together in this."

Murray's chest soreness

Nuggets starting point guard Jamal Murray was listed as questionable to play Tuesday against San Antonio due to chest soreness.

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Murray, who is averaging 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, was not able to participate in Monday's practice or Tuesday's shootaround, Michael Malone said during his pregame media availability. The coach added Murray has had trouble breathing and sleeping in recent days, but was unsure if the soreness stemmed from an illness or a physical ailment. Murray had missed one game in his two-year NBA career when he was placed in the league's concussion protocol in mid-January and could not play in a loss at the Clippers.

Newly acquired veteran Devin Harris could have slid into the starting role with two-way rookie call-up Monte Morris as the backup. Will Barton has also spent time as Denver's backup point guard this season.

The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management), LaMarcus Alrdridge (knee) and Rudy Gay (heel) were ruled out for Tuesday's game in Denver, while Manu Ginobli (rest) and Dejounte Murray (ankle) are probable to play.

Mudiay ready for 'new chapter'

Emmanuel Mudiay refused to speak to the Denver media throughout the season before being dealt to the Knicks at last week's trade deadline. But he recently broke his silence with the New York press corps, saying being traded has given him an opportunity to start "a new chapter in my life."

"It was some stuff that happened,'' Mudiay said of his media silence. "I'm not expecting to do that here (with the Knicks). Just moving on from that. That's why I'm so happy to be here and kind of forget what happened in Denver and just try to move on in a happy manner."

Mudiay totaled 14 points (on 5-of-14 shooting) and 10 assists in 29 minutes in his Knicks debut, a 121-113 loss at Indiana on Sunday. He finished with seven points on 3-of-7 shooting, four rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes in Monday's 108-92 loss at Philadelphia.

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